Device for use below ice



Aug. 5, 1958 E. N. SKILLMAN 2,845,742

ozvxcs FQR uss BELOW ICE Filed Ma rch 21. 1955 IN VENTOR ELME R N.SKILLMAN ATTORNEY United States Patent DEVICE FOR USE BELOW ICE Elmer N.Skillman, Rapid City, S. Dak. Application March 21, 1955, Serial No.495,383 3 Claims. (21. 4326.1)

This invention relates to a device for use below ice.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which can be used forhandling lines such as fishing lines, below ice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which willpermit a fisherman to thread a fishing line from one opening in ice toanother opening and whereby bait or lures can be readily moved beneaththe ice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trolling mechanism foruse below ice whereby the mechanism can be used by various persons suchas fishermen and whereby the mechanism or device can also be used forstringing various type of lines under the ice as for example when hooksare being dragged or when grappling devices are being used in salvage orrescue work or where wires or lines are being laid on the bottom of afrozen lake or pond.

A further object of the invention is to provide a line handling devicewhich is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the line handling device of thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the line handling device, withparts broken away and in section.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the line handling device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates each of apair of buoyant runners which are adapted to be positioned beneath orbelow an ice surface, and extending between the pair of buoyant runners10 and secured thereto, is a pair of spaced parallel horizontallydisposed braces 11.

The mechanism of the present invention further includes a fin which isindicated generally by the numeral 12, and the fin 12 includes a majorvertically disposed portion and an upper right angularly arranged flange13, Figure 1. The flange 13 is secured to the pair of braces 11 in anysuitable manner, as for example by means of suitable securing elements14.

Arranged on the lower end of the fin 12 is a rectangular portion 15, fora purpose to be later described. There is further provided a pluralityof inclined arms 16, and flanges 17 are arranged on the upper ends ofthe arms 16 and these flanges 17 are secured to the runners 10 throughthe medium of securing elements 18.

Positioned in the ends of the rectangular portion are blocks 19 and 20,Figure 2. A bolt 21 extends through the block 19 and has an eye 22 onthe front end thereof, and a nut or head 23 is arranged on the rear endof the bolt 21. A bolt 26 extends through the front block 20, and thebolt 26 is provided with an eye or ring 24 on 2,845,742 Patented Aug. 5,I958 2 its rear end, there being a propeller 25 mounted on the front endof the bolt 26. A rubber band 27 is positioned within the rectangularportion 15, and one end of the rubber band 27 is connected to the eye22, while the other end of the rubber band 27 is connected to the eye 24on the bolt 26. This rubber band provides the propulsion means for thepropeller 25.

Connected to the fin 12 or formed integral therewith, is a casing 28which has a shiftable rod 29 extending longitudinally therethrough. Ahandle or ring 30 is arranged at the rear end of the rod 29, and thefront end of the rod 29 is mounted for movement into and out of the pathof the revolving or rotating propeller 25. A pair of spaced apart lines31 and 32 extend rearwardly from the fin 12 and are secured thereto.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a devicewhich is adapted to travel through a body of water beneath or below asurface of ice. In use, lines such as the lines 31 and 32 :are adaptedto be connected to the rear end of the fin 12. and the device can thenbe inserted down through a hole in an ice surface. Then, with thepropeller 25 in cocked position, the handle 30 can be used to retractthe rod 29 so that with the rubber band 27 in wound condition, theenergy from the rubber band 27 will rotate the propeller 25 to therebymove the device through the water below the ice. One of the linesextending rearwardly from the fin may have fish hooks, lures or the likeconnected thereto. With the rod 29 in the position shown in Figure 2,rotation of the propeller 25 is prevented, but by moving the rod 29rearwardly by means of the handle 30, the propeller 25 will be free torotate as the rubber band 27 unwincls.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a device which can beused for moving a line through a body of water under ice and by means ofthe present invention, a line can be threaded under the ice from onehole in the ice to another hole and such holes may be of any desireddistance therebetween such as from feet to feet apart. The device can beused by various persons such as commercial fishermen or seiners. Thus,by threading a line or rope under the ice and attaching such a line tothe seine or net which is then pulled into the water by the rope orline, it will be seen that this apparatus can be moved under the ice anddragged along through the water. Furthermore, the device can be usedwhenever it is desired or required to string a line under the ice, asfor example in dragging hooks or grappling devices in salvage or rescueWork, or in laying wires or lines on the bottom of a frozen lake orpond. Furthermore, the device can be used by ice fishermen who canstring a line under the ice from one hole to another hole and after theline is strung the fishermen can fasten hooks on the line so as toprovide a moving bait under the ice. Due to their buoyancy the runners10 skim along the underside of the ice as the device moves. Thepropeller 25 is rotated by the rubber band 27 and by winding up therubber band 27 energy can be stored up in the rubber band. The arms 16and braces 11 serve to hold the parts in their proper assembledposition. The fin 12 acts as a rudder which guides the device in astraight line, and the rod 29 serves to selectively prevent rotation ofthe propeller. The rod is maintained in its proper position by the guidemember or casing 28, and a line may be connected to the handle 30 whichcan lead back to the hole in the ice.

The device may be placed in the water through a hole in the ice and thencan be directed in the desired direction. Then, the rod 29 is releasedso that the device moves under the ice and pulls the line or rope as thecase may be. Then, the operator or user locates the device through theice and chops a hole at that point so that the operator then has a lineextending from his 3 launching hole to the new hole which has beenchopped. The bolt 26 is loosely mounted in the block 20 so that thisbolt can rotate.

Due to the buoyancy of the runners the device skims along the undersideof the ice with the runners 10 engaging the ice. The propeller 25 isadapted to be wound up manually. The blocks 19 and 20 may be secured inthe rectangular portion in any suitable manner. The line 31 leads backto the hole in the ice, while the line 32 is a fishing line for use introlling.

As previously stated, the device is adapted to be placed in the waterthrough a hole in the ice and then is directed in the desired direction.By releasing the rod 29, the device will move under the ice so as topull the line or rope. Then, the operator locates the device through theice and chops a hole at that point so that the operator then has a lineextending from the launching hole to the hole that has been chopped.

1 claim:

1. In a, device for movement through water below a frozen surface, apair of spaced apart buoyant runners, a fin arranged parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said runners and said fin including a major portionthat is vertically disposed, a flange extending transversely from theupper end of said major portion of the fin, a pair of horizontallydisposed spaced parallel braces extending between said runners andsecured thereto, and said flange being secured to said bracesintermediate the ends thereof, a rectangular portion on the lower end ofsaid fin, a pair of spaced apart blocks mounted in the ends of saidrectangular portion, a bolt extending through each of said blocks, aresilient band extending between said bolts and connected thereto, apropeller connected to the front bolt, a casing on said fin arrangedabove said rectangular portion, a shiftable rod extending through saidcasing and including a handle on the rear end thereof, the front end ofsaid rod being mounted for movement into and out of the path of saidpropeller, inclined arms extending between said fin and runners andsecured thereto, and a pair of spaced apart lines extending rearwardlyfrom said fin.

2. In a device for movement through a body of water below an icesurface, buoyant runners positioned below the ice surface, armsdepending from said runners, a fin connected to said arms, power meansfor moving the device through the water below the ice surface, and linesextending rearwardly from said fin and connected thereto.

3. In a device for movement through Water below a frozen surface, a pairof buoyant runners, a fin including a major portion that is verticallydisposed, a flange extending from the upper end of said major portion ofthe fin, a pair of braces extending between said runners and securedthereto, said flange being secured to said braces intermediate the endsthereof, a rectangular portion on said fin, a pair of :blocks mounted insaid rectangular portion, a bolt extending through each of said blocks,a resilient band extending between said bolts and connected thereto, apropeller connected to the front bolt, a casing on said fin, ashit-table rod extending through said casing and including a handle onthe rear end thereof, the front end of said rod being mounted formovement into and out of the path of said propeller, arms extendingbetween said fin and runners and secured thereto, and a pair of linesextending rearwardly from said fin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS956,533 Krause Aug. 3, 1910 2,420,451 Spenard May 13, 1947 2,487,229Finn Nov. 8, 1949 2,520,562 Peeler Aug. 29, 1950 2,572,427 Anglim Oct.23, 1951 2,597,288 Caldwell May 20, 1952 2,648,929 Dunn Aug. 18, 1953

